Baby products: Extras for the first year

What baby products make life easier in the first year? We talked to parents and gathered together some favorite gear, clothing, and product "extras" – things that might not be considered essential for raising your baby but sure can help.

Baby clothing

Special outfits: Your baby will grow out of whatever you buy very quickly, but you may want to make the most of this first year of cuteness and invest in a few fun items for special occasions and keepsake photos. Fancy dresses, sweet hats, scrunchy headbands, funny T-shirts … you get the idea.

Diapering

Diaper bag: A diaper bag will help you stay organized and prepared when you’re away from home with your baby. Some parents use a backpack, tote, or other regular bag for this purpose, but diaper bags have helpful, parent-specific features. These include a waterproof lining and compartments for dirty diapers, bottles, and other baby paraphernalia. Some come with changing pads or insulated compartments, and some are made specifically to be strapped onto a stroller.

Diaper bag designs have come a long way in recent years. Many models are now equal parts fashion accessory and baby gear carryall, so you can choose a style you love. Dads often opt for backpack or messenger-style diaper bags.

Diaper pail: Say adios to lingering diaper smells and mess with an airtight pail (also known as a diaper hamper) that seals and stores dirty diapers until you're ready to wash them (for cloth) or throw them out (for disposables).

Baby wipes warmer: This gadget may not be the first item on your list, but warm wipes can help ease the surprise of a cold wipe on a bare tushie, especially in the middle of the night.

Baby gear

Baby bath tub: Some parents don't use these, instead washing their little one in a sink or on a foam mat in the tub. But baby bathtubs can make bath time easier. Many are designed to work from that first bath through toddlerhood and have handy features like a digital thermometer or sensor to make sure the bath water is the right temperature.

At five or six months, when your baby can sit up unassisted, you may want to try a bath ring or seat. These keep your baby upright, giving him the freedom to splash safely while you take care of the scrubbing. But babies should never be left unattended during bathing, no matter how secure the ring. Keep your baby within arm's reach – and keep your eyes on him – whenever he's in the tub.

Baby backpack: Some parents find that a front carrier works just fine as a hands-free way of carrying their baby around. (And some carriers give the option of putting your baby on your back, too.) But if you're a serious hiker or traveler, or you plan to carry your baby on your back quite a bit, it's worth considering a baby backpack.

Backpacks are safe once your baby can hold his head up well for an extended period – at about five or six months. Carrying your baby on your back can be a bonding experience. The high perch lets him see the world, and you can more easily negotiate stairs and stores since your hands are free. And with your head level with his, you'll talk to each other more, too.

Portable crib or play yard: A folding, portable crib or play yard can come in handy in all sorts of situations. Use it for overnights at Grandma's or as a safe, contained place for your baby to play at home or while traveling. Many new play yards come with a built-in diaper changing table, a removable bassinet, and even a mobile.

Stroller sack: If you live in a cold climate, these sleeping-bag-like sacks can come in handy. You put them over your baby's car seat or stroller to keep your little one warm when you're out and about.

Feeding

Bottle-drying rack: This is a handy, compact place to air-dry all those nipples, bottles, and sippy cup parts after you wash them.

Dishwasher basket for bottle parts: This allows you to run all your small bottle parts (like nipples and nipple rings) through the dishwasher rather than hand-washing them.

Bottle warmer: You can use a bowl full of warm water to heat bottles of breast milk or formula, but a bottle warmer is more convenient.

Baby food maker: You can make your own baby food easily with gadgets you probably have already in your kitchen. But some parents appreciate an all-in-one baby-food maker, which allows you to easily steam and puree veggies, fruits, meats, and grains for your little one.

Baby soothers, toys, and entertainment

Glider or rocker: You can get by without one, but a glider or rocking chair comes in very handy during all those feedings and night wakings in your baby's first year. And if you get a good-quality model, you'll likely use it for years. Gliders and rockers morph from a comfy place to nurse or give a bottle to a cozy place to snuggle and read bedtime stories.

A glider is a great item to put on your baby shower registry (they're fairly expensive, so they make a good group gift).

Infant swing: A freestanding swing gives you time to prepare a meal or just take a break while your baby rocks back and forth. Most babies outgrow these within four to six months, and not all babies take to them. But a good baby swing can be a lifesaver during the early weeks and months – some newborns are instantly pacified by the motion. For more information, see our buying guide for infant swings.

Doorway jumper: These spring-loaded seats are designed to hang in a doorway, allowing your baby to bounce independently. But doorway jumpers can fail – clamps fall and cables break – and bouncing babies can bang into the walls. Consumer Reports recommends a stationary activity jumper instead, which you should stop using once your baby can walk.

Activity center: An activity center (also called a play saucer) keeps older babies propped upright safely in one place while they grab and manipulate various attached toys. Some babies love these; some don't. They're most handy when your baby is around 6 to 10 months old, though they can be used from 4 to 12 months.

Mobile: These feature moving toys or designs, sometimes accompanied by music, to mesmerize your young baby. They usually attach to your baby's crib, though some can be fastened near the changing table to distract your baby during diaper changes. One caution: If the mobile is attached to your baby's crib, you'll need to remove it for safety reasons when your child is 4 to 5 months old.

Nightlight: It’s a soothing beacon in a dark room and a great distraction during diaper-changing.

White-noise machine: Many babies sleep better, or fall asleep more easily, with the drone of soft "white noise" in the background. You can buy a freestanding white-noise machine or a stuffed animal with a noise machine enclosed inside.

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